how to handle copy cats
Have you ever thought someone was “stealing” your work? Has anyone ever reached out to you and accused you of “stealing” theirs? Go ahead, raise your hand. No one can see you.
I’m tackling the subject of copy cats because it is one of the top conversations I have with artists. There are many ways to look at the issue, and I’m only sharing my opinion, but I challenge you to seriously consider it the next time you find yourself in the middle of a who-thought-of-it-first dilemma.
First, let me remind you of the saying, “There is nothing new under the sun.” If it were my quote, I would extend it to say, “…only new ways to create and execute.” It is true that there are only so many subjects to paint or sculpt or weave. It is also true that no one can do it exactly the way you can.
So, what do you do when run into alleged copycats? You let it go.
Wait. What. Em, are you serious?! Someone is straight copying my work! How can I let that go? It’s mine! I spent a lot of time and effort and creative energy coming up with this and you want me to just…ignore it?
Yes, I do. Here’s why… You’re busy and have a limited amount of time to create. Don’t spend a single second of that time worrying about something like people copying your work. I know how the cycle goes. Someone pops into your DMs and says, “Whoa! Did you see @soandso’s newest post? That looks just like your stuff!” This person is probably well-intentioned, but it sends you into a frenzy. You’re clicking on their IG, going down a rabbit hole of who they follow, where they might have seen your work, and checking timestamps. The next thing you know three hours have passed and all you have to show for it is a string of texts to your BFF that is filled with typos from your angry fast-flying thumbs.
I say this with love. That kind of energy doesn’t serve you. It doesn’t inspire you or make you better. It brings a cloud of negativity to you and your work. It’s the exact opposite of what you need to stay in your groove.
I know it’s frustrating. I once wrote a poem in high school and shared it with a friend. A few weeks later she stood up in front of the class and recited something that was eerily similar to mine. My guts turned to jell-o. This was my friend! She was taking my stuff and claiming it as her own! She was sharing my deepest personal thoughts and claiming them as her own! I was furious. I confronted her about it, but that didn’t change anything. It was already done and the only thing it gave me was a serious case of writer’s block going forward because I let her get into my head.
You can’t do that. You can’t let other artists get into your head because you’re only hurting yourself.
Listen to this podcast from Kinzie Madsen (@kinziemadsen). She says a lot of this better than I can, but I’m going to paraphrase my favorite line:
If someone is following in your footsteps, they will never get ahead. You will always be three steps down the road before they even get their shoes tied. They will never be the trailblazer.
A few other things to consider:
How much great work would we miss out on if no one ever painted water lilies because Monet did it first? (And did he do it first? Probably not.)
We all stare at social media way too much. If artists follow other artists, it’s likely you will draw inspiration from each other, even if it’s subconsciously.
Dare I say imitation is the greatest form of flattery? I know this one sounds generic, but there is some truth to it. Plus, your collectors know you and your work. They aren’t going to suddenly abandon that for something similar made by someone else who didn’t create it as well as you did. It’s like drinking warm Diet Rite* from a cup when you could have McDonald’s perfectly iced Diet Coke from the fountain of the gods!
I’m not telling you that you can’t be irritated when a situation like this arises, but I am telling you that you can’t let it take control of your mind. Send your bestie a string of angry texts, then light a candle and exhale. Move on, friend. Your next masterpiece is waiting for you.
*If you know about Diet Rite, we might just be soul sisters. Midwest forever!
